Join students from around the world in the heart of Paris to spend a semester challenging yourself in courses across an array of disciplines including Art History, Business, Film, Communications, Politics and Psychology. SAI semester students at AUP select 3 - 5 courses from the range of subjects offered for a total of 12 - 18 credits. Motivated students have the option of adding an SAI Global Leadership Certificate to their AUP semester program.
Application open until: October 1, 2024
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Official transcript
Passport scan (photo page)
Digital photo (passport style)
EU privacy consent form
Highlights
- Earn a SAI Global Leadership Certificate or International Service Certificate
- Join active student clubs
- 200+ courses taught each semester in a range of disciplines
Program Dates
Early January 2025 – Mid May 2025
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic Year: Freshman (1st year) or above
* contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Cumulative GPA:* 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
English Language:* Non-native English language speakers must submit TOEFL: 88+ or IELTS: 6.5+, or proof of attending school in English for 3+ years.
Global Leadership Certificate
Students can supplement a regular semester of studies with the SAI Global Leadership Certificate (GLC), designed to enrich students’ experiences and to acknowledge their academic and service work by providing an additional credential beyond a university transcript. Students enrolled in the Global Leadership Certificate program broaden their awareness of global issues and deepen their knowledge of the host community’s role in an increasingly interconnected world through exploration of research, engagement in community service and interaction with experts and leaders. Students interested in applying for the GLC should select the program at application. Your Admissions Counselor will help guide you through the process of selecting GLC-approved courses at the time of registration.
International Service Certificate
The SAI International Service Certificate is awarded to SAI semester students who are motivated to engage with and give back to their host community. Supported by SAI on-site staff, students who earn the certificate gain valuable skills collaborating with local community groups, and obtain a unique perspective of their host city. Volunteers are able to explore a field of their interest, and build skills that can transfer into their future careers. For more information see SAI International Service Certificate.
Courses & Schedule
AUP courses run Monday – Friday. SAI students are free to enroll in any combination of elective courses, but prerequisites must be demonstrated through students’ transcripts. Please note that listed course options are not final until days and times are posted; until then, courses options should be treated as tentative.
Course Registration
SAI students complete their course registration directly with AUP through their AUP student account. Upon confirming intention to pursue the SAI program at AUP, students receive login information for their AUP student account. SAI’s Paris Admissions Counselor will help guide students through this process. AUP courses are competitive, and students should complete their course requests as early as possible.
After students receive their course registration confirmation, no changes can be made until students arrive on-site. AUP’s drop/add period occurs during the first week of semester classes.
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| October 1 2024 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after deadline as space permits. |
| Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Enrollment Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
| Coming soon |
AUP Course Registration Opens |
| October 1 2024 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. Either 50% or 100% of Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
| October 15 2024 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| October 15 2024 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for a SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| November 15 2024 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification forms to SAI by this date. |
| December 1 2024 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
| On-Site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| Coming soon |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport. SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 12:00 noon, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
| Coming soon |
SAI Orientation Mandatory SAI orientation is held at the SAI Paris office and introduces students to their city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
| Coming soon |
AUP Academic Orientation AUP holds multi-day orientation activities. In addition to the mandatory orientation, students have opportunities to take city tours, join clubs, and meet professors. |
| Coming soon |
AUP Classes Begin |
| Coming soon |
Spring Break (no class) |
| Coming soon |
Classes End |
| Coming soon |
AUP Reading Period |
| Coming soon |
Final Exams |
| Coming soon |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students must move out of SAI housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel. |
| SAI Program Fees* | USD |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $120 |
| Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term. |
$300 |
| Program Fee Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$29,500 |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| Optional Private Room Housing Supplement Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
$3,000 |
| Optional Homestay Housing Supplement Homestay housing in a private room. Includes daily breakfast and 3 dinners/week. |
$100 |
| International Mailing Supplement When applicable, students are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner. |
$90 |
*prices are subject to change
Note: certain SAI-affiliated US universities require specific payment arrangements. These may require that some fees are paid by the student directly to SAI, and other fees are paid to SAI by the affiliated university on behalf of the student. If you attend a SAI-affiliated university please contact your study abroad office or speak with your SAI Admissions Counselor for details.
| Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare to/from Paris |
$900 | $1,200 |
| Visa |
$350 | $450 |
| Books, Supplies & Course Fees Course fees are sometimes imposed to cover field trips. |
$100 / course | $450 / course |
| Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$400 / month | $800 / month |
| Personal Expenses | $350 / month | $450 / month |
| Transportation within Paris Public transportation with some taxi rides. |
$125 / month | $150 / month |
| Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student. |
$300 / month | $1,000 / month |
This is a SAI 360° Services Program; it includes our full services!
- Program tuition and U.S. academic credit
- Accommodation in carefully selected student housing
- Airport pickup on arrival day
- Welcome reception and events
- Orientation to the host city and school
- On-site staff who foster a welcoming community for you and provide assistance when needed
- SAI Viva Experience: cultural engagement, excursions & wellness activities
- Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
- 24-hour on-site emergency support
- Farewell event
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
- Knowledgeable Admissions Counselor dedicated to you, providing friendly assistance
- Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
- Parent & family resources
- Online student groups to acquaint you with other SAI students
- Student visa advising
- Assistance with financial aid processing
- Need-based SAI scholarships
- Alumni Ambassador Program, with paid internship opportunities
- SAI alumni network
SAI offers all students the Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities, at no extra cost, for participants to get to know their community, city and country. Following is a sample of the activities included in this program. Please note that actual activities may differ.
Welcome Activity: Visit to the Musee Quai Branley
Students are welcomed to their new city with a stroll up Rue Cler, one of the 7th Arrondissement’s most charming pedestrian streets. Turning left towards the Eiffel Tower, the group will then take the short walk to the Musee Quai Branley, which houses many of Paris’ treasures of non-Western art.
Montmartre Walking Tour
Students take a guided tour through the Montmartre district and glimpse the nooks and crannies of the most bohemian district of Paris, once home to artists such as Renoir, Picasso, Edith Piaf and others.
Cheese Tasting Workshop
Have you ever wondered what makes French cheese so extraordinary? Students take a two-hour tasting workshop with a cheese expert, during which they will receive an introduction to French cheese types and cheese-making regions. Cheeses will also be paired with a selection of wines for tasting.
Macaron Baking Course
Students get their hands dirty learning how to make macarons – one of France’s most famous cookies. Following the 90-minute course each participant will take home a box of their own macarons.
Tour of the Palais Garnier and a visit to the Galeries Lafayette
Students take a guided tour of the Palais Garnier, home to the Opera of Paris and the setting of Gaston Leroux’s 1909 novel, The Phantom of the Opera. After the tour, we’ll cross Boulevard Haussmann to visit the main building of the Galeries Lafayette, one of Paris’ most iconic high-end department stores. We’ll take in the exquisite stained-glass dome as we ascend through the atrium to the seventh floor, where we’ll enjoy the view from the building’s outdoor terrace.
Farewell Dinner
Students celebrate the end of a successful semester abroad and say their goodbyes over a delicious French meal.
Standard Housing: Student apartment or residence
Standard housing includes a shared occupancy room in a shared student apartment or a student residence (option to upgrade to private bedroom, if available). All SAI housing in Paris is fully furnished and comes equipped with towels, bed linens, and wireless Internet. Students have access to kitchen facilities, comfortable common areas, and washing machines. SAI on-site staff is available to respond to any housing needs that may arise.
Optional Housing: Family homestay
Students choosing the homestay option will be placed with a local family, which could be an older couple or a family with children. SAI homestay families are thoroughly screened and are accustomed to welcoming visiting students into their homes. Homestays provide a private bedroom in the family home with basic furnishings. Wifi is included, as is access to laundry facilities. Students opting for this more immersive housing get breakfast included as well as 3 dinners per week.
Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned departure from France.
Student Visas
In accordance with French law students studying in France for 91 or more days are required to obtain a student visa. Those with French/EU citizenship are exempted. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.
Students must appear in person at a VFS Visa Processing Center to present their student visa application. Visa applicants living in the United States are able to set up their appointment at one of the nine visa centers regardless of their location. VFS Global Centers are located in Washington DC, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. In some cases the nearest processing center may be in a neighboring state, which might necessitate air travel. Please plan and budget accordingly. Our Student Visa Office is available to assist students in getting ready for their appointment; SAI provides student visa consulting for all our students at no cost.